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SMART Technology: Developing Professional Strategies to effectively use a SMART

Notebook in Todays Classrooms

Audra Youngblood

Group Members:
Catherine Ball
Millicent Bess-Frazier
Adrian Gibson

Abstract
The Glynn County Board of Education will provide an education featuring many types of
technology, specifically SMART Technology, in each classroom. All teachers will be able to
deliver important information pertaining to Georgia Performance Standards and Common Core
Curriculum by using a SMART Notebook. This type of technology will enhance lessons that
teachers are implementing in todays classroom. In April 2012, a SMART Tech study showed
that 15% of teachers said the biggest challenge when implementing technology into a Title 1
classroom is that professional development is not being provided by the district. Offering
teachers and administrators professional learning opportunities and certification chances about
the products that could heavily assist the classroom, will enhance schools tremendously.

Proposal
Demonstrated Need
All teachers of Glynn County Board of Education performed a pre assessment (Appendix A) of
technology they would like to implement in their classroom and the types of professional
development courses they would like to attend. The majority of the teachers chose SMART
Technology. After identifying the types of technology proposed, the school board decided to go
ahead with SMART Notebook. Goals were assessed after a school board meeting, and a plan
of operation was executed. After all professional development opportunities were met by each
teacher involved, they were given a post assessment (Appendix B) about how effective the
professional development opportunities were and if anything needed to be improved. After
assessing the teachers, data concluded that the professional development opportunities were
effective and all goals were achieved. Three months after all professional development
opportunities were given, the participants were given a follow up survey to see if the training
was effective (Appendix C).

Need, Goals, and Objectives

School: Glynn County School System, Georgia
Selected technology SMART Notebook certification for teachers
rationale:
Demonstrated Needs
Assessment:

Increase the number of technology enhanced

classrooms
Improve personal productivity by professional
learning opportunities
Improve active student learning
Promote and demonstrate the effective use of digital
tools and resources
Digitally write and erase on the board for any
interactivity
Display creative learning styles
Increase student motivation

Goal 1:

By the first professional learning opportunity, the learner will be

able to manage the existing operations of SMART Notebook &
how to properly use its functions.

Goal 2:

Once fifty percent of learners are able to create at least one lesson
by using SMART Notebook software, SMART Notebook
technology will be added to classrooms to increase the number of
technology enhanced classrooms

Goal 3:

By the end of the second quarter, 3 professional learning

opportunities will be provided to teachers on the proper use of
SMART Board technology.

Goal 4:

By the end of the first quarter, fifty percent of the learners will be
able to program at least one lesson using the SMART Board
technology.

Plan of Operation
(You must include a description of how the proposed activities are reflective of effective
professional development). A schedule of project activities, including a timeline, should be
provided.
Schedule of Project Activities
Month

Description of Operation
July Modules 1 4

August Modules 5 8
September Modules 9 12 ; First SMART notebook training
October Second SMART notebook training
November Third SMART notebook training
December Individual Studying
January Lesson Presentations Begin
February Lesson Presentations Continue
March Lesson Presentations Conclude
April Individual Studying
May Individual Studying
June

SMART technology will be delivered and programmed in the

designated classrooms

Objectives, Planned Activities & Budget

Goals

How will
we achieve
these
goals?

Description

Timeline

By the first
professional
learning
opportunity, the
learner will be
able to manage
the existing
operations of
SMART
notebook &
how to properly
use its
functions.

*SMART
notebook
technology
modules for
educators

Educators and
Administrators will be
able to describe and
apply the common
SMART notebook
functions by
participating in weekly
webinars and/or
modules. Participants
will log all professional
development on a chart.
These learning
opportunities will be
completed during their
planning hour
individually.

Educators and
Administrators will
have the opportunity to
complete 12 webinars
and/or technology
modules weekly.
Webinars and modules
are 30 minutes long.
Webinars and modules
will begin in July and
will be available until
the first SMART
notebook training in
September.

*SMART
notebook
webinars
for
educators

By the end of
the second
quarter, 3
professional
learning
opportunities
will be
provided to
teachers on the
proper use of
SMART
board
technology.
By the end of
the first quarter,
fifty percent of
the learners

Estimated
Cost

*Local
Technology
Funds
*no additional
costs

First training:
September
Second training:
October
Third training:
November

Using the information

learned in the
training/modules,
educators will be given

Educators will be begin

lesson presentations in
January once the first
quarter of training has

No cost
occurred.

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will be able to
program at
least one lesson
using the
SMART
board
technology.

Once fifty
percent of
learners are
able to create at
least one lesson
by using
SMART
Notebook
software,
SMART
notebook
technology will
be added to
classrooms to
increase the
number of
technology
enhanced
classrooms.

Implement
different
SMART
products in
designated
classrooms
for teachers
who can
adequately
use the
technology

an opportunity to
present their SMART
board lessons during
the weekly team and
grade level meetings
following the first
quarter.
Administration/trainers
will visit these
meetings to see the
SMART board
lessons and offer
critiques to each
teacher.

been completed.
Lessons have to be
presented by the first of
March.
Individual studying will
occur during testing
months and December.

SMART Notebook
technology such as
SMART interactive
whiteboards, SMART
tables, and SMART
podiums will be added
to classrooms for
teachers who can
adequately use the
technology. By adding
this technology, it will
increase student
interactions and
collaborations.

The following school

year, starting in June,
SMART technology
will be delivered and
programmed in the
designated classrooms.
Beginning the new
school year, all of the
new technology will be
set up and ready for
teachers to begin using.

*Local
funding
*School
allocated Title
1 funding
SMART
Board M600
Series
- $1599
SMART
Podium$2519
SMART
table- $5999

Budget Explanation
Item

Description

Cost

SMART Board
M600 Series

Focused learning, intuitive design and control. Dual touch freestyle

interaction. SMART Notebook Collaborative Learning Software.
Our most user-friendly interactive whiteboards. Less curve, more
learning.

$2,519

SMART
Podium

Connect with your computer, display content for the whole class to
see. Navigate lesson material, write notes during lessons, highlight
key points, and capture comments and questions as you present.
Display on a larger screen in the same room, or from a remote
location. Inspired lessons, even more engaging.

$2,519

SMART Table

The SMART Table is a social, inclusive, and captivating

collaboration tool that makes it easy to get young students excited
about learning. Its a great way to enhance the social and academic
skills of active learners and ensure all students can achieve success.

$5,999

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Evaluation Plan
Goal

Was the Goal Achieved? How?

By the first professional learning

opportunity, the learner will be able
to manage the existing operations of
SMART notebook & how to
properly use its functions.

100% of this goal was achieved. Teachers had to

complete a module before they were able to move on to
the next module. Teachers used either their planning
time or free time outside of school to complete their
module. All professional development was logged and
submitted (Appendix D). All teachers were allowed to
move on to the next goal. All teachers learned how to
properly use the SMART notebook functions and
existing operations. They proved this by completing all
modules. This goal will improve the quality and
effectiveness of a lesson when implementing this
technology.

By the end of the second quarter, 3

professional learning opportunities
will be provided to teachers on the
proper use of SMART board
technology.
By the end of the first quarter, fifty
percent of the learners will be able
to program at least one lesson using
the SMART board technology.
Once fifty percent of learners are
able to create at least one lesson by
using SMART Notebook software,
SMART notebook. technology will
be added to classrooms to increase
the number of technology enhanced
classrooms

This goal was achieved. Fifty percent of teachers

demonstrated levels of mastery by producing at least
one lesson using the SMART board. Administration
observed lessons either during grade level, team
meetings or during classroom observations.

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Appendices
Appendix A: Pre Assessment

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Appendix B: Post Assessment

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Appendix C: Follow Up Assessment

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Appendix D: Professional Development Log

SMART Tech Modules
Professional Development Log
Name:
Module
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Time Begin

Time End

Completed?

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References
Cermak, G. (2012). Finding Funding for Classroom Technology. ED Compass
Magazine, 4-5.
Mann, H. e. (2012). Glynn County Board of Education Technology Plan.
Brunswick.
Technology, S. (2015, October). Smart Training Resources. Retrieved from
Training and Professional Development:
http://www.smarttech.com/us/Resources/Training/Training+Search?
Products=SMART%20Notebook&Audience=All
%20audiences&Budget=All%20budgets&Training%20Type=All
%20Training%20Types